South Southwest District

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Written by Punta Gorda Elks

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Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606 completed its fifth and final blood drive of 2024, making a remarkable impact throughout the year. Over the course of these drives, the lodge collected a total of 145 pints of blood, saving up to 435 lives, as one pint can save three lives. Participants contributed 182 volunteer hours, valued at $5,450.90, and drove a combined 1,779 miles, equating to $1,049.61, bringing the lodge's total contribution value to $6,500.51. To show appreciation, One Blood provided each donor with a $20 gift card, while the lodge added a $10 gift card and an exclusive Elks T-shirt. Blood donations are critical to saving lives; 25% of cancer patients need blood or platelets during treatment. By hosting these drives, the lodge empowers donors to provide the strength and hope that patients need to keep fighting.

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Written by Rotonda Elks

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On Oct. 27 to recognize Red Ribbon Week, Rotonda Elks and Elkettes cooked (“broasted”) and delivered 26 chicken dinners to six Englewood fire stations for firefighters and first responders as a thank you for all they do. They are first on the scene when there is a drug overdose or alcohol-related incident.

Pictured are Elkettes Ginny Perry and Jean Humphreys, Elk Bob Humphreys, Elk Tom McCombs, Elkette Kathy McCombs and Elk Brad Fitzgerald.

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Written by Diane Hendrick

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On Oct. 22, the Fort Myers Ladies of Elks donated $500 to the City of Palms Youth Choir. Founded in 2016, the choir provides an opportunity for young singers in southwest Florida to enhance their choral education beyond school and church programs. Donations such as this one allow the choir to continue its approach to rehearsing and performing high-quality treble and mixed voice choral pieces.

Pictured are Connie Laubenthal, Ladies Secretary; Sophia Brook, choir board member and singer; Kathy Lake, Ladies President; Matt Koller, artistic director, City of Palms Youth Choir and Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers; and Els Bunkens, Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers Board of Directors chair.

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Written by Jack Upton

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On Sept. 8, Deep Creek Elks Lodge #2763 held the fourth annual Tunnel to Towers benefit. The event raised $4,875, and the lodge matched some of this, bringing the total donations to $9,875. This exceeded last year's donations by more than $5,000.

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Written by Judy Hopkins, PER

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Greater Pine Island Elk Judy Hopkins, PER, South Southwest District Deputy, baked and sold cookies at the lodge's Show Me the Money nights, held July 17 to Sept. 11 at the VFW Post 4353 while their new lodge is being built. The lodge has contributed $1,000 from the cookies sales to the Elks National Foundation.